Go for a hike in one of the state’s numerous trails, walk around one of the various parks, or go hang out at one of the beautiful beaches, and you’ll discover that Rhode Island is an environmental cornucopia. This can also be said for the variety of vegetation and wildlife that inhabit The Ocean State along with the water we drink and the food we eat. It’s a fact that has a direct effect on business and the economy, which has been noticed by the United States government through its revitalization program known as “Investing in America”. As part of the initiative, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Oct. 31 that the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) was to receive $306,441 in grants to assist businesses in developing practices that prevent pollution in their local communities. This is especially focused on Rhode Island’s craft beer sector, which has been growing in many facets since the turn of the century.

The BetterBev New England Green Craft Beverage Recognition Program, which the RIDEM is a part of, fueled this substantial grant as a way to guide craft breweries in implementing environmentally conscious methods to save energy & water while minimizing wastewater, avoiding toxic and/or hazardous chemicals and reducing greenhouse gases. This partnership has its own name that goes by the Green Breweries Program, which helps further this endeavor.

“[The] DEM is grateful to receive this funding from [the] EPA to continue growing our partnership with Rhode Island’s craft breweries through our Green Breweries Program, which provides technical assistance to local breweries to help improve performance and reduce environmental impacts,” Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Terry Gray says. “I always enjoy locally grown, locally harvested, and locally brewed products, and this award will help the Ocean State’s breweries continue implementing green practices and receive well-deserved recognition through the BetterBev program.”

“Rhode Island is home to a growing number of excellent craft brewers,” adds U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “This investment will help small brewers cut costs, save energy, and prevent pollution to cleanly produce some of the nation’s best craft beers.”

While some local breweries around Rhode Island aren’t completely familiar with the grant, which is understandable due the busyness that comes with running a business, the ones who have some knowledge of the endeavor are excited about it. This is especially the case with the former Cranston and current Providence based Buttonwoods Brewery, who were part of the initial testing process.

“As someone who has participated in the first round of research, we’re excited to see progress with it,” Buttonwoods owner and head brewer Morgan Synder mentions. “Having a road map for breweries to follow and regulators too should make the path to opening easier and reduce excessive testing some municipalities force on breweries because of outdated rules or lack of understanding of the industries being regulated.”

For more information about the grant and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention program, log onto epa.gov/p2.